chapter 234

[?]: If I hadn’t gone and met the Mount Tai rebels yesterday, I would think you were joking.

[?]: Conquerors are just like that. They will do anything if it benefits them.

[?]: The so-called able minister in peace times and anti-hero during war times.

[?]: Deplete your family fortune to govern the nation;

chapter 234 Zhong Da Advises

[Lü Bu]: and take your damned life when troubles begin.

[LB]: Again with the sacrificing. I know exactly how you feel.

[LB]: You must’ve been blessed by your ancestors, bro, when you escaped certain death.

[?]: Life is quite unfair, actually. Cao Cao even managed to convince Zhang Xiu to surrender.
[?]: That means the end of border problems for him, and he can transfer his main forces here.

[?]: Too bad. After all these months of fighting, it’s time to face Heaven’s wrath.

[LB]: It will soon be the rainy season – not a good time to attack Xuzhou. He will withdraw sooner or later.

[Zhang Liao]: Forgive my bluntness, but why would you help evil Cao Cao when he has hurt you so?

[Sima Yi]: I’ll be brief. Don’t forget your own history.

[SMY]: Raising a tiger to court disaster, as well as Dong Zhuo‘s death. You know that better than anyone.

[LB]: Again, I know that feeling. We’re a step closer toward mutual understanding.

[SMY]: Since my scheme has failed, General Lü, I’ll need you to settle the score for us.

[SMY]: The Sima clan has some extra savings throughout the regions. If you don’t mind I would gladly give them to you to help you defeat the enemy.
[SMY]: In addition, I was assigned to prepare the Xuzhou incursion, so I know a thing or two about their military.

[ZL]: Cao Cao is wary of our Gao Shun while we must be mindful of Guo Jia.

[ZL]: Spill it. What is he doing now?

[SMY]: Ok. Ever since the beginning of advancement, Cao Cao has suffered defeat after defeat, mainly because your cavalry is really powerful.

[SMY]: With the impending rainy season, and to avoid the cavalry, he plans to retreat southward.

[LB]: So he sent you to trick me into ambushing them.

[LB]: Then we fall into his trap and lose, right?

[LB]: Guo Jia sure is amazing. His pitfalls are hard to detect, and he is only missing the bait.

[LB]: So he needs you to lead us to the right execution spot.

[LB]: Right?

{sfx: pong~}

{sfx: pa}

[Gao Shun]: Yes. I checked the map of pitfall locations he sent us, and my men have confirmed the complex setup. That’s why I returned with my troops to avoid their ambushes.

[LB]: Oh, so you already gave the map to Gao Shun?

[SMY]: Yes. Guo Jia’s traps are flawless.

[SMY]: I sent the map to General Gao before I came so that your main force can be preserved.

[ZL]: I have also witnessed the power of their pitfalls, my Lord. It’s not wise to send forth the Chargers again.

[LB]: Brother Sima, I was just being cautious…

[SMY]: Nonono, I was rushing things because I’m too eager for revenge.

[LB]: So what do you suggest?
[SMY]: Go back.

[SMY]: I will go back to Yanzhou right away. With the help of my clan’s allies we will stir things up before Cao Cao returns home.

[LB]: So you want me to forget the south and take Xiao Pass with everything I have?

[SMY]: Yes. With Xiao Pass gone Cao Cao will be without a buffer zone. And when trouble stirs in the rear you’ll be able to expand your territories in the meantime.

[SMY]: It’s your only chance.

[LB]: Fine. Go now. We’ll get in touch.

[LB]: Zhang Liao, we’ll ask Yuan Shu to handle the south side, let them assault Cao Cao from the other front.
[ZL]: Yessir.

[?]: Hahaha, I don’t see any downside for us, might as well.

[LB]: But let’s keep one last bargaining chip. Sima Yi being still alive…

[LB]: should be a secret to Xiao Meng.

[?]: As you expected, Young Master, Lü Bu spares you when you mention money.
[SMY]: Haha, Conquerors are just like that.

[?]: But didn’t you come to lure out Gao Shun’s troops?

[civilian]: It’s raining! It’s raining!

[SMY]: Haha, how could I not know what Guo Jia is thinking?

[?]: You mean… he expected you to improvise?
[?]: Hoo, that was close.

[SMY]: Let’s go see Chen Deng.

{fire sfx: froom~}

KILL~

[soldier]: Arrows not lit!

[soldier]: They’re using regular arrows!
[?]: Be careful, everybody!

{sfx: shoo~}

{sfx: shoo~ shoo~}

[Yu Jin]: Be careful, everybody!

[YJ]: Our men are losing it, Jia Xu! We can’t hold this position much longer!

[Jia Xu]: Don’t worry.

[JX]: Our job is done, Yu Jin.

{sfx: sha~}

[?]: It’s raining, Advisor!
[?]: Looks like the rainy season is here!

[?]: What is our Lord’s order, Advisor?

[Chen Gong]: There are pitfalls in the south,

[CG]: so Gao Shun is returning to Xiapi, and will be heading this way with our Lord…

[CG]: Oh no! Hurry back and tell our Lord to not come here under any circumstance!

[CG]: No! Pack up, prepare for an immediate retreat!

[captain]: But… but we’re winning!

[CG]: Keep it up until nighttime, then retreat in the dark!
[captain]: Yessir!

[CG]: Riders come with me, hurry!

Damnit, why did my Lord make such a decision?

{Si River}

{sfx: sha~}

{sfx: pa~}

[?]: Hoo. So much rain water this year.

{sfx: pong~}

[?]: The embankments are broken, look out!
[?]: Water has broken the thirtieth dam!

[?]: It reached the upper fifteenth!

[?]: Perfect timing, Advisor.

[Guo Jia]: The rainy season really is bad for warfare.

[soldier]: The lower thirteenth has been reached too, Advisor.

[GJ]: And we couldn’t have dug this far without Gao Shun’s retreat.

{sfx: sha~}

[GJ]: Gao Shun left the south,

[GJ]: and with nothing to stop the Si River,

[GJ]: the water will flow toward Xiapi.

[GJ]: You did well, Sima Yi.

[GJ]: We’ll let Lü Bu suffer Heaven’s wrath!

Guo Jia also waited.

Only when Gao Shun leaves can his plan be completed.: